I am currently singing Puccini's Madama Butterfly, and even though the vocal music is very passionate and Western European, I am continually trying to incorporate movement like this - slow, subtle, evocative - into the character. Oddly enough, choreographing the music somewhat like this helps me remember all the words (and there are a LOT). Thank you for the beautiful inspiration!
I thought the English soundtrack might be easier for non-Japanese viewers to understand what's going on. If you buy the original DVD, you can choose among 1) no narration 2) Japanese narration 3) English narration plus a choice of Japanese subtitles too.
Hey, me too. I find Kabuki so intriguing because it uses movement to express words and emotions, the way I like to dance and/or dance to be. When I look at the dancer(s), I can understand what they are saying to me. Sometimes, some dance I cannot understand what they are saying to me, because it is incoherent and all over the place. And Kabuki is so beautifully simple in many ways - such as the music never overpowers the dance, but enhances it. :)
@SammySamungSan No. This is Kabuki. Something else entirely. An art form that utilizes music, meaningful gestures, poetry, allusion, costume symbolism, etc. It's more complex than it looks and worth some investigation if you care to learn. It is hard for a foreigner to wrap their head around perhaps, but not impossible, you only need to be open minded enough to see it is merely a different form of artistic expression and quite beautiful. You never know, with a little learning you might like it.
Breathtakingly lovely. But I'd far rather have translations and comments under image to be read by viewer instead of having it on top of music. or, alternativelym synopsis in English before the performance.
Tamasaburo one of Japans national threasures is unfortunately up staged by the on going narration...I would rather have known nothing about the actual story and simply enjoyed the esthetics of such a beautiful dance than be subjected to the monotony of the narrators voice. It is of fortunately no reflection on the exquiste beauty of the performers art!
Tamasaburo was not a Geisha... XDD And it would be hard for a foreign, let alone locals, even... a hard process anyway...and years and years are needed...
Sorry, is this a part of documentary or a series of documentaries? I'm finding a bunch of clips on Kabuki with this same narrator, but does anyone know the name of the whole thing together?? Please, I'm trying to locate it.
why didnt they use subtitle instead? the narrator is quite disturbing, covering the background music. I feel like being disturbed by talking-person while watching live classical music performance. But, it gave me alot info though, i juz dont like the way its done. im a big fans of 坂東玉三郎！ XD
It annoys me too, they couldn't find something more suited to the dancing, but if it gets annoying to you, like it does me from time to time, then I just mute it and watch the dance. But I agree with your post and the reply.
玉三郎。
日本が生んだ宝石そのものだ！
美しい！
Paul Griffith is the narrator for this series. I think he adds a lot of value to those who can't/don't speak Japanese.
gratitude for whoever posted these cool little films, like woodcuts in motion, so relaxing to watch
I am currently singing Puccini's Madama Butterfly, and even though the vocal music is very passionate and Western European, I am continually trying to incorporate movement like this - slow, subtle, evocative - into the character. Oddly enough, choreographing the music somewhat like this helps me remember all the words (and there are a LOT). Thank you for the beautiful inspiration!
i agree the subtitles are very helpful...this is so beautiful
I thought the English soundtrack might be easier for non-Japanese viewers to understand what's going on. If you buy the original DVD, you can choose among
1) no narration
2) Japanese narration
3) English narration
plus a choice of Japanese subtitles too.
he's an amazing dancer, yes.
it is from a DVD set titled "Bando Tamasaburo Kabuki Dance Series".
Incredibly sad, but beautiful...
Don`t worry about what others says,I think your narrations is great and very helpful. Thank you tiffenakou san
the narration is very helpful, please post more of these if you have them!
Beautiful!
Hey, me too.
I find Kabuki so intriguing because it uses movement to express words and emotions, the way I like to dance and/or dance to be. When I look at the dancer(s), I can understand what they are saying to me. Sometimes, some dance I cannot understand what they are saying to me, because it is incoherent and all over the place. And Kabuki is so beautifully simple in many ways - such as the music never overpowers the dance, but enhances it. :)
this reminds me of a students last dance, flawless and beautiful.
Unlike western version, many of asian "opera" have a lot less visual while more imaginative.
Brilliant.
The narration helps me a lot!
Thank YOU! its so wonderful ^^
вот для такого изящества линий и создаются форматы высокого качества.
i like it..... it's so beautiful...... arigatou 4 uploading this video.....
@tiffenakou I agree with you, I really appreciate Paul Griffith's valuable narration. Thanks for posting these!
@SammySamungSan
No. This is Kabuki. Something else entirely. An art form that utilizes music, meaningful gestures, poetry, allusion, costume symbolism, etc. It's more complex than it looks and worth some investigation if you care to learn. It is hard for a foreigner to wrap their head around perhaps, but not impossible, you only need to be open minded enough to see it is merely a different form of artistic expression and quite beautiful. You never know, with a little learning you might like it.
Breathtakingly lovely. But I'd far rather have translations and comments under image to be read by viewer instead of having it on top of music. or, alternativelym synopsis in English before the performance.
very cool
o bando i would houner you with every moment ..truly inspiring i want to be a gesha imm hooked on japanese plays for the last to weeks .
how sad and beautiful...
Kabuki is performed by men.
@tiffenakou where can you buy the dvd's? I looked online but could not find it
I read today there are also women! but I believe it's more common men perform.
@Ktsitsa you can buy from amazon.co.jp or yesasia.com
Tamasaburo one of Japans national threasures is unfortunately up staged by the on going narration...I would rather have known nothing about the actual story and simply enjoyed the esthetics of such a beautiful dance than be subjected to the monotony of the narrators voice. It is of fortunately no reflection on the exquiste beauty of the performers art!
he adds important info.
Can someone help me find the lyrics of the poem please?
Tamasaburo was not a Geisha... XDD And it would be hard for a foreign, let alone locals, even... a hard process anyway...and years and years are needed...
Sorry, is this a part of documentary or a series of documentaries? I'm finding a bunch of clips on Kabuki with this same narrator, but does anyone know the name of the whole thing together?? Please, I'm trying to locate it.
@Sefardi123 it would be if you are not familiar with kabuki... hahaha he doesn't have any obvious humps
where can I watch Tamasaburo as an Oiran please
@blueagle2007 Some people just love to criticize, the ability to show simple gratitude eludes them....
where can I buy this on dvd
@Sefardi123 what??
why didnt they use subtitle instead? the narrator is quite disturbing, covering the background music. I feel like being disturbed by talking-person while watching live classical music performance. But, it gave me alot info though, i juz dont like the way its done. im a big fans of 坂東玉三郎！ XD
I personally find the narration very distracting and clouding of the raw experience. The music and video are great.
It annoys me too, they couldn't find something more suited to the dancing, but if it gets annoying to you, like it does me from time to time, then I just mute it and watch the dance. But I agree with your post and the reply.
I'm so confused :/
This is dancing? ㅋㅋㅋ
I despise the narrator's voice. Freakingly annoying. The dance is extremely beautiful though.